Character Dining

[mdennylusk]

Hi everyone, I'm a long time reader, first time poster. My DH (blusk) recommended the site to me and since then, I can't stop reading.

My question is about the character dining. We're going in November and I would really like to do a character breakfast, but I'm afraid that it's just aimed for kids. Has anyone gone without kids?

Another quick question. We were looking into doing the Fantasmic dinner package, but we can't decide if it's worth it. We're both really picky eaters and aren't reallly sure about the restaurant choices. Has anyone done it?

 

[MaMudduck]

Character Dining isn't just for kids...only for those that are a kid at heart. There are so many choose from, it's best to decide with characters you want, then place & type of food. Some people prefer dinners verse breakfast, so that'll also make a difference where you go.

As for the Dinner package, we ate at Hollywood & Vine, it's a buffet so the choices are great and it's only priced a $1 or 2 over what the buffet would normal cost. We didn't really want to pay the higher price at Mama Melrose/ or the Brown Derby (which the food is great at both). We just wanted dinner & not to have to wait in line for Fantasmic. (A must see show). We booked a 4:15pm seating which was great; by the time we were done it was a nice walk to Fantasmic without having to rush through dinner & getting to the show.

Check Deb's for menus & pricing

Menu page at AllEars

 

[bunnyfoo]

Hi mdennylusk! Welcome to the DIS

I've done several character meals without kids and the characters pay as just as much attention to you as they do to the kids! One of my favourites is breakfast at Chef Mickey's

I've booked the Fantasmic Dining Package last May. We went to Brown Derby and I think it was around $34 US and you pay with a credit card when you book. For us, I felt it was worth it since we had wanted to try BD and we were going to see the show. I had read that lineups for Fantasmic could start hours before the show and if you booked the package you wouldn't have to line up as early. With the package, you get an appetizer, main entree, dessert and drink included ... I think we came out slightly ahead Another thing to keep in mind is that seating for the package holders is slightly to the right of the stadium. I had no problems seeing everything but I've read that others complained about the view.

 

[PhotobearSam]

DH and I are just big kids...We love Character Breakfast...It's not just for kids...

Welcome to the DIS...Great Place isn't it?!!!

Have never done the Fantasmic Dinner package as we always go in the off-season so no long lines...

WELCOME

 

[barb45]

Welcome. I spent an entire week reading when I first discovered this site. We love character breakfasts - it's usually myself, husband and 14 year old son. We go every year but this year the restaurant was a little busier so the characters didn't pay much attention to us. I was ready to go into a pout!! When we were done eating we just sat there until Goofy and then one of the Chipmunks came over for photos. I was just saying to my husband "one of those chipmunks better get over here or I'm going to open a can of chipmunk whoop ***" (lol). Anyway I understand that kids come first and we did get our photos but try to hit at a time that's not too busy (or maybe they were just cranky that day). We'll still do it again though. As far as the Fantasmic Dinner Package goes, I haven't been but would like to try it also. We did the Candlelight Procession Package at Christmas at Epcot and really enjoyed it.

 

[CrazeeGrammaG]

Welcome

We always do the Character meals. Breakfast, Lunch, dinner you name it we do it. It's one part of visiting WDW that keeps the magic alive. We will have at least 4 PS set up for Character meals on our next trip.



If you like the buffet style dinners you should try Hollywood & Vine for the Fantasmic dinner package. Well worth the additional costs for a guaranteed seat for this show

 

[FatCow]

Hmmmm... Belle...

uhm, yeah, I like CRT and I'm 30.

 

[maryliz]

Character Meals are something not to be missed. Not sure if you're planning on going to AK, but if you are, I highly recommend Donald's Breakfastasaurus It's very busy, and we had it once where we had to wait an extra 15 minutes after done eating to get to see the last character making his way around the restaurant. But for the most part, the characters move quite quickly while still allowing time for photo ops and autographs. The CM's there are great too.

Done Hollywood and Vine for Fantasmic and it's definitely worth it,if you're going in a busy time. There's no characters at this meal, but the food is great. If you're going off-season, then I wouldn't necessarily bother -- I'd spend that money on the WTP character dinner at Crystal Palace in MK

Enjoy!

Mary-Liz

 

[Canadave]

I'd really recommend that you go to a character breakfast...even without kids... the characters are a big part of the ambiance...give yourself a chance to enjoy some good food in the company of Mickey, Goofy or your favourite princess

As for the Fantasmic dinner package...we tried it on our first trip, but the restaurant choices would not have been our first picks...we now like to grab some take out food, get our seat an hour or so early and eat dinner right there in the stands, while we wait for the show...I find our choice of seats are even better than the dinner plan (although there are not many "bad" seats).

ps. Welcome to the DIS boards